Shenango Valley News

U.S. Representative Mike Kelly expressed his approval following the Greenville Area School Board's decision to reject proposed changes to Title IX. The changes aimed to broaden the scope of discrimination prohibition by including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity as criteria.

Kelly stated, "Well done parents and fellow citizens of Greenville Area School District. The federal Department of Education has no right dictating to parents what is best for their kids. They certainly should not be engaging in culture wars in our schools."

Concerns were raised by parents and community members about the potential risks these changes could pose to student safety, especially for female students. There was also apprehension that it might allow biologically male students to participate in girls' sports.

Rick Rossi, President of the Greenville Area School Board, voiced strong opposition to the proposed policy change. He remarked, “I have been in education for more than 50 years and I have never seen a policy come out of the government as bad as this," according to reports from The Sharon Herald.

In April 2024, an initiative from the Biden Administration expanded Title IX's definition of "sex discrimination" to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Originally passed in 1972, Title IX is a federal law designed to ensure educational equality for women and girls.